Track cleaner

ABSTRACT

A track cleaner, consisting of a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle including: a body, including an inlet and an outlet; a hinge disposed inside the body between the inlet and the outlet; and a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the hinge, for being tangentially rotatable in relation to the body, thereby the plurality of cleaning elements receive air flowing vertically thereto from the inlet to the outlet, and function as tangential blades, thereby rotate about the hinge, thereby sweep.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/246,630, filed Oct. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of track cleaners. More particularly, the invention relates to a nozzle therefor.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaners are inefficient regarding cleaning of tracks, since tracks require sweeping for cleaning them.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a track cleaner, comprising a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle including:

-   -   a body, including an inlet and an outlet;     -   a hinge disposed inside the body between the inlet and the         outlet; and     -   a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the hinge, for         being tangentially rotatable in relation to the body,         thereby the plurality of cleaning elements receive air flowing         vertically thereto from the inlet to the outlet, and function as         tangential blades, thereby rotate about the hinge, thereby         sweep.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the suction nozzle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a suction nozzle according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts the suction nozzle of FIG. 1 disposed within a track.

FIG. 5 depicts the suction nozzle of FIG. 1 without the blades, and disposed within the track of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a suction nozzle according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a magnification of a portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 depicts the suction nozzle of FIG. 1, as an integral element of a track cleaner.

FIG. 9 depicts the track cleaner of FIG. 8 disassembled.

FIG. 10 enlarges the suction nozzle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 enlarges a portion of the wheeled brush or wiper of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 depicts the other side of the suction nozzle of FIG. 10.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features are not described in detail.

The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, according to one embodiment of the invention.

A suction nozzle 10 according to one embodiment of the invention, for being connected to a vacuum cleaner hose 20, includes, like any suction nozzle, an inlet 18A; an outlet 18B; a body 50 including inlet 18A and outlet 18B; and a wheeled brush 66, being rotatable about body 50.

FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the suction nozzle of FIG. 1.

Rotatable brush 66 includes a hinge 12 disposed on body 50 between inlet 18A and outlet 18B; and a plurality of tangential blades 16 extend from hinge 12.

Thus, air 62 flowing from inlet 18A to outlet 18B applies pressure vertically to each blade 16, as depicted by right angle 60 between the air 62 and blades 16, and thus air 62 rotates blades 16 about hinge 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each of blades 16 constitutes a brush for sweeping dust 24 into body 50.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a suction nozzle according to another embodiment.

According to one embodiment, many bristles 52 extend from each blade 16.

Body 50 further includes a rear wall 54.

FIG. 4 depicts the suction nozzle of FIG. 1 disposed within a track.

Suction nozzle 10 is intended for sweeping a track 22 by long blades 16 of rotatable brush 66, being inserted thereinto.

Rotatable brush 66 may further include short bristles 14, disposed at the side for sweeping the accessible regions of track 22.

FIG. 5 depicts the suction nozzle of FIG. 1 without the blades, and disposed within the track of FIG. 4.

Two side walls 76 of track 22 together with rear wall 54 form a vacuumed channel 58 from track 22 into hose 22.

Thus, referring again to the true state of FIG. 4, air 62 blown through channel 58 efficiently rotates blades 16, in addition to the efficient suction it provides for pulling dust 24.

Short bristles 14 further contribute to the forming of vacuumed channel 58, by contributing to the sealing between track 22 and body 50.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a suction nozzle according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a magnification of a portion of FIG. 6.

A sponge having protrusions 36 is disclosed instead of blades 16. Short wheel 38 is disclosed instead of short bristles 14.

FIG. 8 depicts the suction nozzle of FIG. 1, as an integral element of a track cleaner.

Track cleaner 80 includes a vacuum cleaner, including a suction assembly 98, hose 20, and suction nozzle 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 depicts the track cleaner of FIG. 8 disassembled.

Suction assembly 98 includes a motor 40. The water splashing assembly 42 is attached to hose 20.

FIG. 10 enlarges the suction nozzle of FIG. 9.

Suction nozzle 10 is similar to that of FIG. 1, except for being adapted to hose 20 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 enlarges a portion of the wheeled brush or wiper of FIG. 10.

Each blade 16 includes bristles 52 for sweeping, and a fin 92 between adjacent bristles.

FIG. 12 depicts the other side of the suction nozzle of FIG. 10.

The water is splashed from water pipe 90 of FIG. 8 to water nozzle 32.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a track cleaner (80) including a suction nozzle (10), for a vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle (10) including:

-   -   a body (50), including an inlet (18A) and an outlet (18B);     -   a hinge (12) disposed inside the body (50) between the inlet         (18A) and the outlet (18B); and     -   a plurality of cleaning elements (16) extending from the hinge         (12), for being tangentially rotatable in relation to the body         (50),         thereby the plurality of cleaning elements (16) receive air (62)         flowing vertically (60) thereto from the inlet (18) to the         outlet (18B), and function as tangential blades, thereby rotate         about the hinge (12), thereby sweep.

The body (50) may further include a rear wall (54), for forming an air channel (58), for enhancing the rotation of the cleaning elements (16).

The body (50) and the cleaning elements (16) may be shaped for inserting the cleaning elements (16) into a track (22) for sweeping thereof, thereby the track (22) forms an air channel (58), for enhancing the rotation of the cleaning elements (16).

The plurality of cleaning elements (16) may include:

-   -   central cleaning elements (14) for sweeping within a track (22);         and     -   side cleaning elements (14), being shorter than the central         cleaning elements (16), for sweeping exposed regions of the         track (22),         thereby the track (22) forms an air channel (58), for enhancing         the rotation of the cleaning elements (16), and the short         cleaning elements (14) contribute to the forming of the vacuumed         channel (58).

Each of the cleaning elements (16) may constitute: a bristle (14), a wiping brush end (36), a sponge protrusion.

In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:

-   -   numeral 10 denotes the suction nozzle according to one         embodiment of the invention;     -   numeral 12 denotes the hinge/axle, for allowing rotation of the         wheeled brush thereabout;     -   numeral 14 denotes a short side bristle;     -   numeral 16 denotes a blade, functioning as a long central         bristle;     -   numerals 18A and 18B denote and inlet and an outlet         respectively;     -   numeral 20 denotes a vacuum cleaner hose;     -   numeral 22 denotes a track, having an elongated floor and two         elongated walls 76;     -   numeral 24 denotes dust, swept by the wheeled brush;     -   numeral 28 denotes a pump for splashing water;     -   numeral 32 denotes a water nozzle;     -   numeral 34 denotes splashed water;     -   numeral 36 denotes a protrusion of a central cleaning wheel;     -   numeral 38 denotes a side cleaning wheel;     -   numeral 42 denotes the splashing assembly;     -   numeral 50 denotes the body;     -   numeral 52 denotes a bristle extending from a blade or being         part of the blade;     -   numeral 54 denotes a rear wall;     -   numeral 58 denotes an air channel, formed by the body, by the         bristles, and by the elongated track, altogether for enhancing         the rotation of the wheeled brush;     -   numeral 60 denotes the angle between the bristle, functioning as         an air blade, and the air flow;     -   numeral 62 denotes the air flow;     -   numeral 64 denotes the wheeled brush;     -   numeral 66 denotes the wheeled brush or wiper;     -   numeral 80 denotes an track cleaner, including a vacuum cleaner         and a track wiper;     -   numeral 84 denotes a water tank;     -   numeral 86 denotes a cap for filling water;     -   numeral 96 denotes the water nozzle; and     -   numeral 98 denotes the suction assembly.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A track cleaner, comprising a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, said suction nozzle comprising: a body, comprising an inlet and an outlet; a hinge disposed inside said body between said inlet and said outlet; and a plurality of cleaning elements extending from said hinge, for being rotatable in relation to said body, thereby said plurality of cleaning elements receive air flowing vertically thereto from said inlet to said outlet, and function as tangential blades, thereby rotate about said hinge, and thereby sweep.
 2. A track cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said body further comprises a rear wall, for forming an air channel, for enhancing said rotation of said cleaning elements.
 3. A track cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said body and said cleaning elements are shaped for inserting said cleaning elements into a track for sweeping thereof, thereby said track forms an air channel, for enhancing said rotation of said cleaning elements.
 4. A track cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of cleaning elements comprise: central cleaning elements for sweeping within a track; and side cleaning elements, being shorter than said central cleaning elements, for sweeping exposed regions of said track, thereby said track forms an air channel, for enhancing said rotation of said cleaning elements, and said short cleaning elements contribute to said forming of said vacuumed channel.
 5. A track cleaner according to claim 1, wherein each of said cleaning elements comprises a member selected from a group consisting of: a bristle, a wiping brush end, a sponge protrusion. 